A wireless headset gives you freedom to roam away from your desk with no cords connecting you to your phone. You can talk hands-free in your office, at home or in your vehicle.

A corded headset means you are corded from your headset to a "quick-disconnect cord" or "curly cord", which is plugged into your desktop headset amplifier, which is then connected to your phone.

A partially-corded headset means you are corded from your headset to a belt pack amplifier (wireless amp) but there are no cords attaching to your phone. The belt pack amp is worn on your waist, around your neck or clips onto your clothing. You still have the freedom to roam but you are not wireless.

Wearing Styles

When considering an over-the-head style headset, look for one with an adjustable click-stop headband to provide a good, comfortable fit.

The over-the ear style headsets cover your ear only. No headband is involved so the headset does not interfere with your hair. The flexible earhook slips over the ear and can be adjusted to fit your ear. This style is very popular with folks who do not like anything on their head.

The convertible headset gives you more than one wearing style option, the over-the-head and over-the-ear. You decide which way you want to wear it!

Earpiece Styles

The Single Ear (or monaural) style headsets cover just one ear so you can stay in touch with your surroundings.

The Dual Ear or (or binaural) style headsets cover both ears so you can focus on your callers.

Ear Cushions

It is important to have pillow soft ear cushions on your headset for all day comfort. Some headsets have foam ear cushions while others have leatherette cushions. Some are round, some are oval shaped. When you initially buy your headset, choose the ear cushion you think will be most comfortable for you.

Down the road, if you want to replace your ear cushions, you can purchase a Refresher Kit for your headset that includes replacement ear cushions designed specifically for your headset style.

Microphone Boom Styles

The Flex boom allows you to adjust and move the microphone boom to position it near your mouth so you get the best quality when you speak. Its noise-cancelling mic is designed to reduce background noise so it's perfect for noisy environments. You can easily swing the boom away from your face so you can drink or eat without removing your headset.

The SoundTube boom is a unique, metal alloy tube designed for clear, crisp sound. This sleek, lightweight boom features a noise-cancelling mic and is designed for moderately noisy rooms.

The Midi boom is a compact, sleek style boom. Its directional microphone is designed for private offices with low background noise.

Noise-Cancelling Microphones

This technology, built into the headset microphone, is designed to reduce background noise so your callers hear only you. This feature is important if you work in a noisy office.

Amplifiers

When dealing with corded office phones, a headset is usually only part of the equation. You typically need a device in-between to amplify the sound because the phone itself lacks the ability to do so. Cordless phones and cell phones do not need amplifiers.

There are several types of amps:

Built-in: Wireless headsets, like the GN9125 or the GN9450, have the amplifier already built into the base. No additional purchase required.

Standard: A standard or "Universal" amp is usually the most economical choice. Typical features are volume control, mute and a headset/handset switch.

Multimedia: A amp (Audio Processor) allows you to connect to both your phone and computer via a PC soundcard. Perfect for listening to audio, using voice recognition software, computer-based VoIP, and more.

Digital: A amp like the Jabra LINK 850 Audio Processor uses cutting edge technology like digital signal processing to reduce INCOMING background noise from your caller. Pair it up with a noise-cancelling headset for the best possible sound.